Dealing with Anxiety

It’s an overwhelming feeling that aches within you at times such as waking to a ringing phone in the middle of the night, before an important meeting or event, or realizing you are lost in an unsafe place.  That racing heart feeling isn’t a heart attack, though it can feel just as disabling. It is anxiety.

Normal everyday anxiety helps us prepare for events and even alerts us to take action out of harms way. When anxiety becomes excessive, unrealistic, or if the way we react to anxiety becomes damaging to our relationships or ourselves, we must learn to manage it. 

Stop the Worry Cycle

Facing anxiety is the only way to manage it in the long-term. Anxiety and how you react or deal with it can improve physical health and quality of life. 

Identify the sources of anxiety. Where and when is the emotional intensity in your life? Sometimes they are obvious and other times we do not recognize it or link it to the source. Maintain a broad perspective and look for a pattern. 

Don’t avoid anxiety. Avoiding anxiety tends to reinforce it. Moving through and facing fears is more helpful. 

Seek help. If anxiety becomes overwhelming and keeps you from going places or doing things, seek help.   

“You can’t always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.“   Wayne Dyer